St. Albert Minute: Issue 96

St. Albert Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of St. Albert politics

📅 This Week In St. Albert: 📅

• There will be a City Council meeting on Tuesday at 9:30 am. Council will discuss building a local live fire training facility for firefighters currently reliant on Edmonton’s Poundmaker Training Facility or Spruce Grove’s site. Councillor Sheena Hughes noted that as Edmonton grows, future access for St. Albert crews is uncertain, prompting a motion to assess the feasibility and demand for a local facility. The City spends about $110,800 annually on fire training, and a local facility could potentially offer cost savings and revenue if rented to neighbouring municipalities. Possible sites include City-owned land in the Lakeview Business District or Badger Lands. Costs and specific design details have not yet been determined.
  
  
• Council will review Land Use Bylaw amendments aimed at supporting housing affordability and unlocking up to $11.8 million in federal funding. The proposals include changes to the Established Neighbourhood Overlay, which would give homeowners in older neighbourhoods more flexibility for renovations and redevelopment, such as adding second stories, covered decks, or extra rooms, without changing maximum height or floor area limits. The amendments also aim to simplify administration, reduce duplication of rules, and allow more flexible garage placement on corner lots. Additionally, Council will consider reducing minimum parking requirements for apartments outside downtown, townhouses, and supportive living and affordable housing, lowering ratios to better align with modern development needs. A public hearing on these initiatives is scheduled for the January 27th Council meeting. 
  
  
• The Community Services Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 pm. The agenda includes the election of the 2026 Chair and Vice-Chair. Members will also receive an orientation on grants and programs, participate in a round table discussion, and confirm the next meeting scheduled for February 24th, 2026. Similarly, the Arts Development Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday at 6:00 pm. The agenda includes an introduction to ADAC and public art, and the election of the 2026 Chair and Vice-Chair. Members will also review current projects, discuss the 2025 ADAC Annual Report, and hold a round table discussion. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 pm.
  
  
• The long-vacant St. Albert Crossing office building at 214 St. Albert Trail could finally see tenants this spring, according to property manager and Amnor Group owner Harry Kaura. Completed in 2013, the three-storey building has never been occupied, partly due to legal disputes, construction delays, and City requirements like installing a $300,000 runoff tank. Kaura plans to purchase the building once the tank is installed and permits are secure and intends to divide the building into smaller business condo units, potentially hosting three to 45 tenants. The building is being marketed for businesses such as dental offices or companies moving from home offices. Kaura plans to open a sales office in March and aims to have tenants in place by spring 2026. 
  
  
• The City is urging residents to prune trees this winter to help prevent the spread of black knot and Dutch elm disease. Winter pruning makes it easier to spot diseased branches and limits the activity of the fungi and insects that spread these diseases. Homeowners are encouraged to cut off black knot-affected branches about 15 cm below the infection and disinfect tools between cuts, while trees with the disease on the main trunk may need to be removed. Dutch elm disease, though not yet in St. Albert, poses a serious threat to the city’s elm trees and is best managed by winter trimming to avoid attracting bark beetles. Residents can safely dispose of infected branches at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot, where diseased wood is burned, while small branches can go in the garbage cart but not the compost cart. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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